A family that suffered a tragedy earlier this year is on the verge on another devastating turn: A man who received a living-donor liver transplant from his younger brother, who died four days after surgery, may not be able to keep the organ.
Chad Arnold, 38, received two-thirds of his brother Ryan's liver at University of Colorado Hospital in July. On Aug. 2, Ryan, 34, died of cardiac arrest after the operation that saved the life of his brother, who suffered from a liver disease and was given only months to live.
Arnold, speaking on NBC's Today show this morning, said his new liver isn't working as it should, and he was placed on the retransplant waiting list a few weeks ago.
Arnold had hoped to wait for a liver from a cadaver, but the waiting list would take years, and a living-donor transplant became the best option. When he told his family, all three siblings volunteered, along with friends, cousins and in-laws, according to The Associated Press.
Ryan, the baby of the Arnold clan, didn't wait for everyone to get tested. He got his own blood test, learned he was a match and made it clear to everyone that he'd be the donor, according to AP.
My sister, same blood type, was willing to do it. He wouldn't even let her in the ring, Chad said of Ryan on Today.
The surgery went well. I thought we were in the clear. I felt healthy, healthier than I had in years, said Arnold, who's been sick for about a decade. It was all blue skies from there.
Four days later, though, Ryan, a married father of three boys, died of cardiac arrest. The family isn't satisfied with that conclusion, brother Rod Arnold said on Today.
Story link with video: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/artic...o-died-after-living-donor-transplant/19736359
Chad Arnold, 38, received two-thirds of his brother Ryan's liver at University of Colorado Hospital in July. On Aug. 2, Ryan, 34, died of cardiac arrest after the operation that saved the life of his brother, who suffered from a liver disease and was given only months to live.
Arnold, speaking on NBC's Today show this morning, said his new liver isn't working as it should, and he was placed on the retransplant waiting list a few weeks ago.
Arnold had hoped to wait for a liver from a cadaver, but the waiting list would take years, and a living-donor transplant became the best option. When he told his family, all three siblings volunteered, along with friends, cousins and in-laws, according to The Associated Press.
Ryan, the baby of the Arnold clan, didn't wait for everyone to get tested. He got his own blood test, learned he was a match and made it clear to everyone that he'd be the donor, according to AP.
My sister, same blood type, was willing to do it. He wouldn't even let her in the ring, Chad said of Ryan on Today.
The surgery went well. I thought we were in the clear. I felt healthy, healthier than I had in years, said Arnold, who's been sick for about a decade. It was all blue skies from there.
Four days later, though, Ryan, a married father of three boys, died of cardiac arrest. The family isn't satisfied with that conclusion, brother Rod Arnold said on Today.
Story link with video: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/artic...o-died-after-living-donor-transplant/19736359
